A year ago, when PJ Library convened 175 partners, program professionals, and parent connectors in Springfield, Massachusetts, for the annual PJ Library International Conference, the program was on track to mail 244,448 books to children ages 0-12 across North America. This week, in a room packed with over 200 people for the 2026 conference, the organization announced that 268,925 books would be sent in May: a 10 percent increase in just a year.
“Growth (and Why It Matters),” PJ Library’s 2026 international conference theme, was the focus of every moment of the three-day gathering, held again in Springfield. Both longstanding attendees and newcomers were invited to take a closer look at PJ Library’s expanding reach, offerings, and resources that center kids and families throughout childhood, and imagine together what more could be possible.
The conference kicked off with Harold Grinspoon Foundation President Winnie Sandler Grinspoon and PJ Library Executive Director Alex Zablotsky welcoming participants and setting the stage. “Childhood goes by in the blink of an eye,” said Alex. “But reading books slows it down, just for a few minutes.” He and Winnie reinforced the value of Jewish books to children from a very young age and highlighted the new illustrated family holiday guides going out to PJ Library families in the next year.
Alex also expressed gratitude for Winnie, who recently announced her upcoming retirement, prompting a standing ovation for her.
As the conference continued, participants had ample opportunities to network and share ideas with peer from communities of both similar and different sizes and makeups. They were able to learn more about tools to reach families across social media and the utility of impact storytelling for fundraising. They also learned why it makes sense for partner Federations and JCCs to use the PJ Library brand in their family-facing marketing and communications and how to turn PJ Library’s Theory of Change into action.
“At Conference, we help our partners peek behind the curtain to see how our leadership thinks about growth, discover what other communities are doing to spread the word, and share their own successes. As well, they get to sharpen their storytelling and marketing skills through practical sessions designed to help them make a big splash with the resources they already have,” shared Jessica McCormick, PJ Library Director of Family Experience. “It’s beautiful to see everyone making connections with fellow professionals through formal sessions and informal conversations. They’ll return home with new ideas of how to support families and foster Jewish life.”
Other sessions featured successful growth stories from Utah, Charlotte, and Philadelphia, the value of grandparents as catalysts for Jewish engagement, and resources — such as guides, books, podcasts, and music — to support parents and bolster them as community leaders. At one session, entitled “Steal This!,” participants were encouraged to take another community’s idea back home.
Attendees also contributed to a community art installation using PJ Library CDs with artist-in-residence Tova Speter and attended a raucous session about turning books into theater with Rebecca Schoffer, Director of Family Life at 92NY. At a delightful lunch, five individuals were awarded the first-ever PJ Library Golden Ticket, with a prize from program founder Harold Grinspoon, in recognition of their outstanding efforts in creating innovative growth strategies.
PJ Library itself has been in a year of supercharged growth. In addition to the 10-percent increase in books mailed across North America year-over-year, the program’s digital podcast network recently reached 2 million downloads. PJ Our Way, the next chapter of PJ Library for tweens ages 9-12, doubled its retention rate, increasing the number of kids who transition from receiving monthly storybooks to choosing their own middle-grade novel each month. Get Together, PJ Library’s microgrant program supporting families who host Jewish gatherings, grew tremendously, surpassing $1.3 million in reimbursements and making possible 13,000 gatherings from September 2025 to April 2026.
During the closing plenary, the team announced another marker of growth and expansion: Next year’s conference will be held in Atlanta, Georgia.
“Holding the conference in Atlanta offers the opportunity to showcase a vibrant partner community and partnerships in action,” says PJ Library deputy director Jamie Light. “Next year, we’ll bring together not only professionals and parent connectors, but also lay leaders, donors, and more organizational partners to celebrate PJ Library’s impact, spark new ideas, and shape the future of family engagement together.”
